Food is a universal language and its preparation, when done by an elder and a younger member of the family, becomes an activity that builds memories for the next generation.

But more than just building memories, cooking together is also a way for family recipes to be handed down to the next generation.
Manila Bulletin’s celebration of Grandparents Day 2023 encouraged readers to share recipes of the food that grandparents had served them. The contest – Pamana: Recipes of Lolo and Lola – invited readers to send 60-second videos on the topic, and post them in social media like Facebook, Tiktok or Instagram.

The entries provided a variety of Pinoy recipes cooked in lolo’s or lola’s style – and many of the participants said that the secret ingredient was “pagmamahal ni Lola or Lolo.”

Here’s some of the pamana (heritage) recipes cooked with pagmamahal (love):

Pinangat na Tulingan cooked with “much love” and of course, gata (coconut milk) because Lolo comes from Bicol, a region known for its many recipes with gata. In that video, the sender said that the Pinagat na tulingan dish was the favorite of their Lola Ondes, the mother of Lolo Noli, who is shown in the video teaching his grandson how to cook it. The video was sent by Ma. Noemelyn Doroja.

Papa Noli and grandson CK (Screenshot from Ma. Noemelyn Perez TiTok post)

And there’s the video entry showing the preparation of “Sinampalukang Manok sa Miso” which the sender says is her “grandma’s best dish of all” because “it has the perfect blend of sourness and saltiness which makes me want to have extra rice.”  In the video, the sender thanks her Lola Neneng for teaching her how to cook that recipe, “and for always loving me!” The video was sent by Jian Ruiz.

Lola Neneng (Screenshot from Jian Ruiz Facebook post)

A dish of vegetables is the subject of a video on the “Secret Diet” of Lola.  The sender calls the dish “Utan Bisaya” – a delicious mix of locally-grown vegetables, meticulously sliced and prepared for cooking.  This is also what I will teach my children to eat so that they will be as healthy as their lola, who is “cool and astig,” the video creator said.  At 82, his lola climbed Mt. Apo and went skydiving – as her photos showed in the video entry. The video was sent by Joshua Jaiy Navarra.

Lola Iluminada (Screenshot from Joshua Jaiy Fabroa Navarra TiTok post)

Teaching a grandchild how to cook a favorite recipe can be both instructive and fun.  In this video, lola and apo slice the ingredients together then proceed to start by sauteing the garlic, onions and tomatoes.  After the meat is added and mixed, the apo invites Lola to do a Tik Tok dance – the fun flavor of the activity. The sender says: “First time magluto ng mag-lola na magkasama! Panahon na para ipasa sa apo ang kanyang specialty! Ang nakakatakam niyang Giniling Espesyal!”  The video was sent by Honey Alaz.

Lola Tes and grand daughter Angel (Screenshot from Honey Alaz TiTok post)

Another entry is a cooking demo on how to cook Lola Editha’s “Ginisang Upo” with its secret recipe – pagmamahal at ngiti (love and a smile). Cooking can be much fun with the lola and apo dancing in between cooking. The video was sent by Keonna Bautista.

Lola Editha (Screenshot from Keonna Bautista TiTok post)

Pamana recipes can also be simple as long as it brings back good memories.  A video showed a lola preparing what her apo called “Familia Madrigal’s Corned Beef.”  It is captioned: “My Lola’s Pamanang Corned Beef might be simple, but it's filled with love and holds a special place in my heart.”
Among the other pamana recipes demonstrated on video by a grandparent and a grandchild were spaghetti, pancit in bilao, menudo, fried chicken, and sinaing na tulingan.

The MB Grandparents Day Pamana: Special Recipes of Lolo and Lolo video making contest was held to celebrate the bond between grandparents and grandchildren by highlighting their cherished family recipes.  The project is supported by The SM Store.

It required the participation of at least one grandparent and one grandchild, who will collaborate to create a captivating 60-second video showcasing their heirloom or favorite dishes.

All entries were posted in social media by the participants.

Winners of the video making contest will be announced in Manila Bulletin's official Facebook page.